While most Scots reject a complete break with the UK, they favour a form of autonomy which would include powers to raise their own taxes. The reluctant English should accept this, argue Simon Jenkins.

Simon Jenkins

Here we go again. Ireland gone. Scotland going. Next is Wales, and then where? Cornwall? The Isle of Wight? There is no knowing what the ineptitude of London politics may do to the British confederacy. The latest row over yes or no to Scottish "independence" is mere play-acting. The real issue is option three, "devo max". London hates it. Scotland craves it.

For the past week constitutionalists have been dragged from their cobwebs to pore over laws and documents. This is pointless. When dissident provinces are set on separatism, the minutiae of referendum law will not stop them. Look at Bosnia, Slovakia, Kosovo, Macedonia – each different but starting from the same source. Britain went to war to break up the Yugoslav union. Many Britons yearn for the break-up of the European one. Why do they fight to sustain the United Kingdom as it manifestly crumbles?

The answer is that English tribalism trumps hypocrisy. David Cameron has only conceded a binding referendum on Scottish independence because polls say it will be rejected. He opposes any delay because that makes such an outcome less certain. The nationalist, Alex Salmond, thinks the opposite – and for the same reason. Neither wants to risk defeat. Thank goodness elections at least are ordained by law.

The longer London derides the aspirations of the non-English peoples of the British Isles, the stronger those aspirations will grow. Ireland departed the union in exasperation at London misgovernment in 1922. Only last year could the Irish tolerate a day visit by the Queen. Resistance to devolution cost James Callaghan his majority in 1979 and decimated Labour support in Wales. The imposition of a poll tax on the Scots in 1989 contributed to Margaret Thatcher's downfall and all but wiped out Scottish Toryism. Read full article in The Guardian...

Alex Salmond says he is ready to meet David Cameron to discuss the way forward

6:12am UK, Sunday January 15, 2012

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has asked for talks with Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond on the independence referendum following a week of heated political debate.

Mr Moore said the UK Government wants to provide Holyrood with "the legal powers for a fair and decisive referendum" to take place.

Mr Salmond said he was ready to meet Prime Minister David Cameron "in Edinburgh, in London or wherever" to discuss the way forward, when he attended the summit of the British-Irish Council in Dublin on Friday.

The UK Government said the first contact between the two administrations should be with the Scottish Secretary, who is leading its referendum consultation, and Mr Salmond.

It comes as a poll in the Mail on Sunday says the idea of Scottish independence is more popular in England than it is north of the border.

The survey also found that Scots were more likely to vote against independence in a referendum if it contained a second question on whether more powers should be devolved to Edinburgh from Westminster.

Only 26% of voters in Scotland want to break up the Union, compared with 46% who do not, the poll revealed.

Mr Moore is to address the Confederation of British Industry in Edinburgh on Monday and the Advocate General will be setting out the legal situation with the referendum at Glasgow University on Friday.

Mr Moore said: "Since Tuesday, when I set out our plans for how Scotland can hold a legal referendum, I have spoken to the First Minister and asked him to meet for talks. I have also written to him.

"I was pleased to hear him suggest talks with the UK Government and I want us to meet in Edinburgh this week to start making progress.

"We want this referendum made in Scotland and we should start the work this week in the nation's capital."

Under Westminster's proposals a referendum could be held within 18 months on the single yes-or-no question of whether Scotland should become independent of the UK.

No date has been suggested for the poll, though ministers are prepared to set a deadline once the consultation ends on March 9.

Edinburgh wants to delay a poll until autumn 2014 and to leave open the possibility of a third "devo-max" option on the ballot paper, which would allow Scotland to take on greater self-determination in financial matters but remain part of the Union.

Meanwhile, former chancellor Alistair Darling has warned of the "immense" economic difficulties Scotland would face if it voted for independence.

The Scottish MP for Edinburgh South West, who has emerged as a leading candidate to head the pro-Union campaign, told The Observer that the risks would be "amazing" and not worth gambling on.